Tracker device.



G. P.BRAND. TRACKER DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 10, 1910.

1,014,942, Patented Jan.16,1912.

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" note music.

GEORGE P. BRAND, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

TRACKER DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 16, 1912.

Application filed May 10, 1910. Serial No. 560,410.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE P. BRAND, a citizen of the United States of America, and resident of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tracker Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in tracker bars for self-playing or automatic musical instruments and it has for its objects among others to provide a simplified construction whereby one part is made movable to change the position of the bleeds in accordance with the desire to adapt the player for playing sixty-five or eighty-eight note music.

In the present sixty-five note player that is built for sixty-five note music only, the holes in the music are of a certain diameter and the bridges betweenthe perforations of the paper very often are made so small that it is necessary to use very large bleeds to obtain the proper repetition as the bridges are just long enough to barely cover the holes or ducts in the tracker bar. fore, the bleeds have to be made sufficiently large to return the valve mechanism in time to strike another note for the following perforation.

In the eighty-eight note player that is built exclusively for eighty-eight note music, the perforations in the music are much smaller and as they run at about the same speed as the music of the sixty-five note, there is always more bridge left between the perforations than there is in the sixty-five note music. Consequently I can use smaller bleeds. In fact, I have to use smaller bleeds as there is not sufficient air allowed to enter the tracker bar in the eighty-eight note music to allow the bleeds to be of the same size as for the sixty-five As is well-known, tracker bars have been devised for adapting the player for use in connection with sixty-five or eighty-eight note music. Such tracker bars are provided with two series of ducts one larger than the other, those for playing sixty-five note music being larger and disposed six to the inch, while those for eightyeight note music are smaller and formed nine to the inch. Now, if I employ in the player that is built to play both sixty-five and eighty-eight note music, two sets of Therebleeds of different sizes, the set of smaller bleeds for the eighty-eight note ducts in the tracker, and the set of larger bleeds for the sixty-five note ducts in the tracker, there be ing as many bleeds in each set as there are ducts in each set in the tracker bar, it is necessary to have means to cut off one set while using the other and vice versa, thereby giving the action the same result as would be obtained in two different players. Unless some means is provided to throw out of action the set of bleeds for the one series of openings as the other set of bleeds is thrown in, there is a loss of energy. By my improvement, I make movable a single part so that as said part is moved, the bleeds of one or the other of the series of ducts in the tracker bar are thrown into andthe other out of, operative relation to the series of duets with which they are designed to cooperate. For instance, if the player is arranged for playing sixty-five note music, the sixty-five note bleeds will be in communication with the sixty-five note series of ducts in the tracker bar and also with the action and the bleeds for the eighty-eight note music will be out of register with the ducts in the tracker bar adapted for playing eighty-eight note music. When it is desired to adapt the player for use in connection with eighty-five note music, said movable part is actuated to throw the eighty-eight note bleeds into register with the ducts of the tracker bar adapted for playing eighty-eight note music and simultaneously therewith the bleeds adapted for cooperation with the sixty-five note ducts of the tracker bar are thrown out of register with the ducts of the tracker bar which are serving also to hold it against undue lateral movement.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

The invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with the instrument.

numerals of reference marked thereon, form a part of this specification, and in which Figure 1 is a top plan with portions broken in two. Fig. 2 is a vertical section as on the line 22 of Fig. 1 with portions broken away, showing the parts in position for playing eightyeight note music. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the position of the parts changed and adapting the same for use in connection with sixty-five note music. Fig. 1 is a detail in vertical section on the line t4t of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a face view of a portion of the tracker bar showing the two series of ducts therein.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates the tracker face, over which the music sheet passes. It is provided with one series of ducts 2, eighty-eight in number, nine to the inch for eighty-eight note music, and another row of holes or ducts 3, sixty-five in number, six to the inch, for sixty-five note music. It is to be understood, however, that the invention now to be described is as applicable to any form of tracker bar having two series of ducts of different size or differently spaced whether adapted for music of sixty-five or eighty-eight notes, or any other different characters of music.

1 is a valve member provided with a chamber having suitable provision, as the tube 5, for connection with the ordinary pneumatic action of a pneumatic musical 6 are pipes or conduits, flexible or otherwise, connected at one end with the tracker face 1 for communication with ,the ducts 2 and at the other end communicating with the short tubes or the like 7 supported in opposite walls of the chamber 4e, as seen clearly in Figs. 2 and 3. By this means, all direct communication between the tubes 6 and the interior of the chamber 1 is cut cit.

direct communication between said tubes 8' and the interior of the chamber 1 is cut off. It is evident, however, that any other suitable means of connection between the tubes 6 and 8 and the chamber 1 may be employed.

10 is a bar parallel with the chamber 41 and having suitable means, as tubes or pipes 11, designed for connection with the sound producing devices of the player, of usual construction. This bar 10 has a series of ducts, one for each tube 11, and leading from each duct- 12 are two openings 13 and 14 properly spaced apart, as seen in Figs. 2 and 3.

15 is a bleed hole for the duct 2 and 16 is a larger bleed hole for the duct 8. There is a bleed hole for each duct 2, and a bleed hole for each duct 3. These bleed holes are relatively spaced apart and spaced relatively also to the ports or openings 13- and 14:, so that when, say for instance, the aorts 13 are in communication with the bleeds 16, the bleeds 15 are closed from communication with the ducts 12, the openings 14 at this time being in communication with the tubes 8. lVhen the parts are relatively moved so that the ducts 13 are in com munication with the tubes 6, the bleeds 16 are shut oil or closed and the bleeds 15 are in communication with the ducts 12 through the port 14:. Figs. 2 and 3 show the parts in these two positions.

Suitable means may be provided for moving either the chamber 1 or the bar 10 with relation to each other. In the present instancel have shown a lever 17, one end 18 of which is arranged in position free of access from the front of the player, its other end being fulcrumed at 19 on a suitable standard or support 20 soldered or otherwise fastened to the tension chamber 4. This lever has pivotally connected therewith, as at 21, a link or the like 22 pivotally mounted, as at 23, on a lug or projection 24 on the bar 10. The rod or pivot 19 extends through from side to side and at the end opposite said lever is mounted in an arm 25 from which depends a link 26, set screws or the like 27 being provided at opposite ends, as seen clearly in Fig. 1, to insure proper movement of the rod by actuation of the lever without any tendency to be strained or distorted and to insure the relative movement at the two ends of the two members 4 and 10. It is to be understood that there are as many ducts and tubes in the bar 10 (adapted to be connected with the action) as there are in the row of the tracker bar having the greatest number, and there are as many tubes 11 as there are ducts in the bar 10, and many openings 13 and 1% as there are ducts in the different rows in the tracker bar.

It will be readily understood that either the member 4 or the bar 10 may be moved, the operation and result being the same whether it be the chamber 4t or the bar 10 that is given the movement, such mo ement being dependent, of course, upon which of said members is fixed. If the member t is fixed, manipulation of the lever 17 will move he bar 10 thereupon or with relation thereto. If the bar 10 is fixed, manipulation of the lever will reciprocate the chamber 4. upon or with relation to said bar 10.

In order'to guide and limit the movement of the parts 4t and 10 with relation to each other, I provide the member 10 with a verti cal slot 28, in which works a stud or pincr projection or the like 29 extending from the chamber 4. This pin and slot serve also to limit the movement of the one part with relation to the other and the length of the slot is such that when brought to its limit of movement in one direction or the other, the movable part will be in such position as to bring the ports 13 or 14 in such position as to communicate with their respective tubes 6 or 8. In order to hold the parts 4 and 10 in close frictional engagement with each other, I mount upon the stud or pin 29 a spring 30, as seen in Figs. 2, 3 and 4:, which bears between its ends against the head 31 of the stud 29 and at its ends against the bar 10, it being understood that there are two of these guide slots and studs and springs, one near each end, so as to insure parallelism of movement of the parts. The frictional engagement is such as to insure practically an air-tight joint between the ad jacent faces of the two parts, yet permit of sliding movement in order to shift their relative positions.

WVith the parts constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described, the operation will be apparent. Briefly stated, it is as follows: As shown in Fig. 2, the parts are in position to adapt the player for playing eighty-eight note music. The ports 13 are in communication with the tubes 6 and the ports 14 are in communication with the bleeds 15, the bleeds 16 being shut off or closed. When in this position, communication is afforded between the'tubes 6, the ducts 12 and through such ducts and the tubes 11 to the sound producing devices and also through such ducts, the ports 14- and bleeds 15 and tubes 5 to the action. When it is desired to adapt the player for use in connection with sixty-five note music, the lever 17 is actuated so as to shift the relative posi tion of the parts t and 10, when the parts will be brought into the position in which they are seen in Fig. 3, the ports 14- being in communication with the tubes 8, the bleeds 15 being closed and the ports 13 in communication with the bleeds 1.6, so-that communication is afforded between the ducts 12, ports 13, bleeds 16, chamber and tubes 5 to the action, also through the tubes 11 to the sound producing devices.

h lodifications in detail may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages.

What is claimed as new is 1. The combination with a tracker bar having two rows of ducts of different sizes, of a single chamber with bleeds of different sizes for relative cooperation with said dif' ferent rows of ducts, connections between said tracker and bleeds, and a member frictionally held in contact with said chamber and having ports and constructed for co operation with said bleeds.

2. The combination with a trackerbar having two rows of ducts of different sizes,

of two members one connected with the two rows of ducts of the trackerbar and one movable upon and relatively to the other, one of said members having ports and the other having bleed holes of different sizes for relative cooperation with the ports in the other member.

8. The combination with a trackerbar having two rows of ducts of different sizes, of two members, one connected with the two rows of ducts of the trackerbar and one movable upon and relatively to the other, one of said members having ports and the other having bleed holes of different sizes for cooperation with said ports, and means for moving one of said members with relation to the other.

4. The combination with a trackerbar having two rows of ducts of different sizes, of two members one connected with the trackerbar and one of which is movable upon and with relation to the other, one of said members constituting a single chamber with bleeds of different sizes and the other with ports for cooperation with said bleeds.

5. The combination with a trackerbar having two rows of ducts of different sizes, of two members one of which is in communication with the trackerbar and one of which is movable upon and with relation to the other, one of said members having ports and the other constituting a single chamber with bleeds of different sizes for relative cooperation with the ducts of the trackerbar, and means for moving one of said members to bring the bleeds of one size alternately into communication with the rows of ducts of the corresponding size.

6. A tracker bar having a plurality of rows of ducts of different sizes, a valve member provided with a chamber, a second member, one of which members is movable upon and relatively to the other, one of said members having a duct and ports in communication with the ducts of the tracker bar, the other of said members having bleed holes of different sizes relatively spaced whereby one is opened and the other closed as said movable member is shifted in its position to establish communication between one of the ports and one of the ducts of the trackerbar.

7. A trackerbar having a plurality of rows of ducts of different sizes, two juxtaposed members, one of which is movable upon the other. one of said members being communication with the trackerbar and the other constituting a single chamber, said first-named member having duets with a plurality of ports leading from each duct relatively spaced so that when one is in communication with one of said rows of ducts the other is out of communication with the other row, one of said members having sets of bleeds of different sizes relatively spaced whereby when one bleed is in communication with one of said ports the other port is in communication with one of said ducts.

8. A trackerbar, two members one of which is movable with relation to the other, one having ports and the other constituting a single chamber and having a row of ducts, connections between said trackerbar and one of said members, and a plurality of bleed holes of different sizes for relative cooperation with said row of ducts, and means for moving one of said members to close one set of bleeds as the other set is opened.

9. A trackerbar, two members one of which is movable with relation to the other, one having ports and the other constituting a single chamber and having a row of ducts, connections between said trackerbar and one of said members, and plurality of bleed holes of different sizes for relative cooperation with said rows of ducts, means for moving one of said members to close one set of bleeds as the other set is opened, and means for guiding and limiting the move ment of the movable member.

10. A trackerbar, two members one of which is movable with relation to the other, one having ports and having a row of ducts and the other constituting a single chamber, connections between said trackerbar and one of said members, and a plurality of bleed holes of different sizes for relative cooperation with said rows of ducts, means for moving one of said members to close one set of bleeds as the other set is opened, means for guiding and limiting the movement of the movable member, and means for forcing it into air-tight engagement with the other member.

11. A trackerbar, two juxtaposed members one of which is movable with relation to the other, one having ports and a row of ducts and the other constituting a single chamber, connections between said trackerbar and one of said members, a plurality of bleed holes of different sizes for cooperationwith said row of ducts, means for moving one of said members to close one set of said bleeds as the other set is opened, means for guiding and limiting the movement of the movable member, and means for forcing it into air-tight engagement with the other member, said last-named means cooperating with said guiding and limiting means.

12. The combination with a tracker bar having two rows of ducts of difierent sizes, of two juxtaposed members, one of which -is movable with relation to the other, one of rid members having ports and being capable of bemg connected with the rows of ducts of the tracker bar and the other of said members constituting a chamber with bleeds of different sizes for cooperation with the ports in the other member.

13. A tracker bar having two rows of ducts of different sizes, a member connected with said rows of ducts and provided with a plurality of bleeds of different sizes, and ported means for closing one set of bleeds as the other set of bleeds is exposed.

lt. A tracker bar having a plurality of rows of ducts of different sizes, cooperating bleeds of different sizes, ported means affording co-n'nnunication between said bleeds and ducts and means for preventing leakage through one set of bleeds as communication with the player action of a mechanical instrument is established through the other set of bleeds.

15. A tracker-bar having a plurality of rows of ducts of different sizes, a member connected therewith and having means for connection with a pneumatic action, and having bleeds of different sizes for relative cooperation with said rows of ducts, and movable ported means cooperating with said member for preventing leakage therein.

16. A trackerbar having a plurality of rows of ducts of different sizes, a member having a plurality of bleeds of different sizes adapted for connection with a player action, and a movable ported member for communication with the ducts of said tracker bar and for cooperation with said firstnamed member for cutting off communication between said bleeds and the player action.

17. A trackerbar having a plurality of rows of ducts of different sizes, a member having a plurality of bleeds adapted for communication with a player action, and cooperating ported means for communication with the ducts of the trackerbar for cutting off comiminication between said bleeds and the player action.

18. A. trackerbar having a plurality of rowsof ducts of different sizes, a member having a plurality of sets of bleeds adapted for communication with a player action, and movable ported means cooperating therewith and adapted for communication with the ducts of the tracker-bar for cutting off communication between said bleeds and the player action.

Signed by me at i i ashington, D. (1, this 7th day of May, 1910.

GEQRGE P. BRAND.

l vitnesses E. H. BOND, Jenn SCRIVENER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

